Squeaky Dakars fixed by driving off-road, wtf?

My OME Dakar leaf springs had been squeaking quite badly prior to a trip up north to hit some trails. After spending some time on the trails they no longer squeak. I did not expect this. Usually it works the other way around. My only slightly plausible explanation is that they got cleaned up by the large amount of water on the trails. It was raining, the soil is very sandy, and thus the puddles contained relatively clean water.

 

Squeaking is usually metal-on-metal contact. Could be the opposite, they could now be dirtier, with the debris acting as "lubricating" layer.

 

Well, like I was trying to say, in the past they have started squeaking (more) after getting dirty. Cleaning them with a pressure washer has usually helped, but has not always cured the problem entirely.

 

https://youtu.be/zCf3Bw529rY

Add this to your routine with better silcone grease after a good pressure wash. My OME leaf springs havent made a peep in months, and for some reason the grease fitting feature isnt in a manual or instruction packet from OME.

side note: Before when mine would get wet they would normally stop until they dried out again.

 

Mine are still not squeaky after drying out. I didn't need to lube, although I have had to in the past.

 

Problem solved then!

 

Exactly, but it was not expected.

 

This is the Tacoma version of an Italian tune up.

 

Don't worry, the noise will come back to keep you company! Mine would come and go as normal Dakar behaviour.

 

I'm guessing there's a 97% chance it's a temporary fix.

 

I do not doubt that!

 

High end 1911's like a Dan Wesson or Ed Brown are fit together very tightly and require a decent amount of use to allow the internals to "self polish" for good fit & proper operation. I'm guessing the sandy soil you mentioned "polished" the squeaky tight spots in the leaf pack.

I'd also be willing to bet there's a bit of sand "lubing" up your leafs now, especially if the sand is quartz based or made up of something with similar mineral hardness.

 

Is there a quiet or silent alternative rear suspension for a Tacoma then? I'm in the market for replacement for my factory rear set with an add a leaf and block installed. Would rather go to just a straight leaf pack as opposed to all the squeaky à la carte lift pieces I have now.